ILL 1
Date:
June Hols Week 2
9 June 2016
5.00 pm - 5.30 pm
Source:
What I Did:
I decided to read up on some headlines worldwide to increase my general knowledge. I went to the Straits Times website and read this article about the Japanese Government abetting illegal ivory trade and wanted to do a summary of the article. I also wanted to learn some new words in the article.
What I Learned:
Words I Did Not Understand:
- Abetting - encourage or assist (someone) to do something wrong, in particular, to commit a crime or other offence
- Covertly - without being openly acknowledged or displayed; secretly
Summary:
Conservation activists claim that Japanese Government is abetting ivory-traders who smuggle elephant tusks to China. There were two pieces of evidence, one a covertly-filmed video, which showed four different ivory traders who showed no hesitation to export ivory illegally to China for money; and two an investigation conducted by an Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) agent. Based on those videos, the activists accuse the Japanese Government of purposely creating loopholes in Japanese law against ivory trading by not making registration of elephant tasks compulsory, if it was not to be sold; and by not requiring registration for cut up pieces of ivory. The ivory traders could easily just cut up the ivory and then sell it, as they were not selling whole elephant tusks and did not need to register for cutting up ivory. This practically reverses China’s efforts to stop ivory trading. Japan’s trade ministry said that authorities are closely monitoring registered traders.
ILL 2
Date:
June Hols Week 2
10 June 2016
11.00 am - 11.30 am
Source:
What I Did:
I decided to read up on some headlines worldwide to increase my general knowledge. I went to the Straits Times website and read this article about an Indonesian maid murdering her employer and wanted to do a summary of the article. I also wanted to learn some new words in the article.
What I Learned:
Words I Did Not Understand:
- Allegedly - used to convey that something is claimed to be the case or have taken place, although there is no proof
- Remanded - place (a defendant) on bail or in custody, especially when a trial is adjourned
Summary:
An Indonesian maid allegedly murdered her female employer at her employer’s semi-detached house, despite working for her for two months. The deceased was found lying on the floor, motionless, by her husband. The suspect and the deceased’s husband were admitted to Changi General Hospital with injuries to their heads and hands; and neck, forehead and leg respectively. A district judge granted the police prosecutor’s request to remand the suspect at Changi Women’s Prison for psychiatric assessment, upon her discharge from hospital. The Indonesian Embassy has appointed a lawyer for the case, as the suspect could face the death penalty if convicted of murder with intention.
ILL 3
Date:
June Hols Week 2
10 June 2016
11.30 am - 12.00 pm
Source:
What I Did:
I decided to read up on some headlines worldwide to increase my general knowledge. I went to the Straits Times website and read this article about cases of Hand Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) in Singapore and wanted to do a summary of the article. I also wanted to learn some new words in the article.
What I Learned:
Words I Did Not Understand:
- Median - denoting or relating to a value or quantity lying at the midpoint of a frequency distribution of observed values or quantities, such that there is an equal probability of falling above or below it
Summary:
In Singapore, HFMD cases are soaring to near-record numbers, the 18,241 infections exceeded by the 21,102 cases in 2012 only. In contrast, the median number for the same period over the past five years is 8,193 only. At KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, more than 200 children have been hospitalised, according to Associate Professor Chong Chia Yin, a senior infectious disease consultant at KKH. "Most of these children were admitted for fever and poor feeding, mild dehydration or febrile fits due to their high fever. None suffered serious complications," she said. Serious complications from the disease are rare, though if it does happen, the brain, lungs or heart could be damaged. Symptoms of HFMD include fever, ulcers in the mouth and on the tongue, blisters on the hand and feet, poor appetite and lethargy. It may also hurt to drink water, which would cause dehydration.
ILL 4
Date:
June Hols Week 2
10 June 2016
12.00 pm - 12.30 pm
Source:
What I Did:
I decided to read up on some headlines worldwide to increase my general knowledge. I went to the Straits Times website and read this article about the Prime Minister announcing that it is necessary to cut internet access to maintain security and wanted to do a summary of the article. I also wanted to learn some new words in the article.
What I Learned:
Words I Did Not Understand:
- NIL
Summary:
After being advised by security experts, PM Lee decided to cut internet access from public servants’ computers, so that the government database cannot be hacked. Even though public servants have to go through the hassle of using a second computer to access links, PM Lee managed to survive this since the beginning of 2016. Not the entire government will have to adopt this measure, for example, teachers can still browse the internet as per normal as schools do not have much sensitive information. But the rest of the government, like the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) who have already been practising this, will have to adopt this practice gradually.
ILL 5
Date:
June Hols Week 2
10 June 2016
12.30 pm - 1.00 pm
Source:
What I Did:
I decided to read up on some headlines worldwide to increase my general knowledge. I went to the Straits Times website and read this article about the effectiveness of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) between Singapore and Mexico and wanted to do a summary of the article. I also wanted to learn some new words in the article.
What I Learned:
Words I Did Not Understand:
- Multilateral - agreed upon or participated in by three or more parties, especially the governments of different countries
- Bilateral - having or relating to two sides; affecting both sides
- Inaugural - marking the beginning of an institution, activity, or period of office
Summary:
The TPP, which was signed between 12 countries, including Singapore, Mexico, the United States, Vietnam and Japan, has yet to be ratified. Both Singapore and Mexico are eager for the quick ratification of the first trade pact linking the two countries, as both parties feel that they wanted to make to good use the pact. As both countries see each other as hubs in their respective regions, Singapore wants to show Mexico how important we see them as. On top of that, the Singapore Film Festival is a good way to give Mexicans a glimpse into life in Singapore, as Dr Maliki puts it, “The political and economic links between two countries will plant the seeds of the relationship, but it is cultural interactions that will help the flower bloom.”
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